Kosport Magazine: McLaren Confirms Upgrades for Miami Grand Prix
McLaren has set its sights on the upcoming Miami Grand Prix as the perfect opportunity to debut its first major upgrade package for the MCL38, driven by rising stars Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The team’s boss, Stella, has confirmed that the upgrades are on track for the May 5th race, and are expected to bring a significant boost in performance.
The team has already shown promising form in the 2024 season, keeping pace with top teams like Ferrari and even outperforming Mercedes. However, they are aware that they still have some ground to cover before they can truly challenge for the top spot. That’s where the Miami upgrades come in, as the first step in a series of developments aimed at closing the gap.
But it’s not just about pure performance for McLaren. The upgrades are also designed to improve the car’s handling of tires, with a focus on reducing rear degradation. This will be crucial at the Shanghai event, where tire management will be a key factor in determining the race’s outcome.
Stella explains, “These upgrades will also include some attempts to improve tire degradation, so we will try and see if we can take a step forward. Considering the amount of improvement we should do to get closer to some of our competitors, I would say that we need more than one round of upgrades in terms of helping the behavior of the tires.”
And it’s not just a one-time fix. As Stella points out, tire management is an ongoing process, and the team will continue to work on improving it throughout the season. With high temperatures expected in Miami, the track will be particularly challenging for the tires, with a lot of traction needed in low-speed corners and acceleration.
Norris and Piastri have already shown their potential, qualifying fourth and fifth for the race after finishing sixth and seventh in the sprint. But Stella acknowledges that Red Bull and Ferrari still have the upper hand when it comes to tire management, with the rear axle being the main limitation for McLaren.
He says, “This is not a surprise because this track in terms of tarmac, despite the surprising coating, it’s more on the Bahrain and Suzuka side. We know we become overloaded at the rear, which some cars cope better than us, for instance, Ferrari and Red Bull.”
But it’s not all bad news for McLaren. Stella also notes that since the introduction of wider tires in 2017, there has been less graining at the Shanghai circuit, particularly on the front end. This could give the team an advantage in managing their tires and potentially closing the gap to their competitors.
As the Miami Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on McLaren and their upgrades. Will they be able to make a significant leap forward and challenge for the top spot? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – the team is determined to keep pushing and improving, and the Miami upgrades are just the beginning. Stay tuned to Kosport Magazine for all the latest updates and analysis on the world of motorsports.
